About RTGS

‘RTGS’ or Real Time Gross Settlement is a fund transfer method through which money is sent in ‘real time’ basis without any delays. This electronic fund transfer system allows the money sent by the remitter to immediately reach the payee/beneficiary as and when the money transfer transaction is initiated. Here, ‘Gross Settlement’ refers to the processing of transactions on an individual basis and not in a batch wise system. RTGS is typically meant for larger value transactions and the minimum amount that can be sent via this mode is Rs.2 lakh.

Money can be sent using RTGS through net banking. To initiate such a transaction, it is important to collect some details from the payee such as account number, bank name, IFSC code, and account holder name. Another interesting feature about this wire transfer method is that transactions can be scheduled in advance.

The following information is required for an RTGS transaction:

The amount thats needs to be transferred in rupees

Name of the payee/beneficiary as in the bank account

IFSC code of the payee/beneficiary

Account number of the payee/beneficiary

Name of beneficiary bank and bank branch

The RTGS payment system is maintained by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and hence is a safe and reliable method of sending and receiving money at any given point of time in the country. In fact, RTGS is one among the fastest ways to send money to anyone. It is much faster than the NEFT method of payment. All RTGS charges are very reasonable and range anywhere between Rs.25 to Rs.55.

NEFT is a type of electronic fund transfer method where settlements are made on a Deferred Net Settlement (DNS) basis. This basically means that when it comes to NEFT transactions, settlement does not take place unless a certain number of transactions are received till a certain cut-off time. On the other hand, RTGS transactions are processed as and when they are received.

For instance in NEFT, if you initiate a fund transfer after a settlement time, you have to wait for the next settlement time for the transaction to be processed.

NEFT v/s RTGS v/s IMPS

In India, there are three types of fund transfer methods NEFT, RTGS and Immediate Payments Service (IMPS). All these three methods inherently let you transfer money from one account to another but each method is slightly different from the other.

While NEFT and RTGS are regulated and managed by the RBI, the IMPS system is the brainchild of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

NEFT is mainly for lower value transactions and funds transfers are not settled immediately. NEFT services are also not available on bank holidays and Sundays. There are 11 batches on weekdays and 6 batches on Sundays. There is no minimum amount but there is a is ceiling cap on the maximum limit in NEFT.

RTGS transactions, on the other hand, are settled on a real-time basis and there is a minimum limit but no maximum limit. Banks have the liberty to decide their own upper limit as the RBI has not set any ceiling cap for RTGS transactions.

IMPS services are available on a 24/7 basis at anytime of the day or night. When it comes to NEFT and RTGS, fund transfers cannot be initiated on bank holidays or Sundays, this is not the case with IMPS. All IMPS transfers can be made on all 365 days in a year at anytime and from anywhere.

FAQ's for RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement)

What is the difference between RTGS and NEFT?

Ans: NEFT or National Electronic Fund Transfer transactions are settled in batches, while RTGS transactions are settled individually.

What is the minimum and maximum limit for RTGS transactions?

Ans: Remember that all RTGS transactions are mainly for larger value transactions. The minimum amount for RTGS transactions is Rs.2 lakh. There is no maximum limit.

How long does it take for funds to get credited under RTGS?

Ans: Generally, the funds are credited instantly. The bank will ideally credit the money within a 30 minute time frame.

Will the sender/remitter receive any confirmation message or acknowledgement once the money is credited to the beneficiary/payee account?

Ans: A confirmation SMS will ideally be sent to the remitter.

In case funds are not credited to the payee/beneficiary account due to an error, will the remitter get back the money?

Ans: Yes. In such a case, the funds will be automatically credited to the remitter’s account. If this does not happen within a 24-hour time window, then contact your bank’s customer care representative.

Do all banks in India have RTGS facility?

Ans: No. RTGS services can be availed only at RTGS-enabled banks.

What is inter bank fund transfer?

Ans: When funds are transferred from one bank account to another bank account. Basically, it is sending money to other bank accounts.

Is it possible to schedule an RTGS transaction in advance?

Ans: Yes.

How much in advance can I schedule an RTGS transaction?

Ans: It can be scheduled in advance of 3 working days.

Can I use RTGS to send money to foreign banks?

Ans: No. The service is only available in India with RTGS-enabled banks.

How do I know if my bank is RTGS-enabled?

Ans: To know if your bank has RTGS facility or not, visit the RBI website to get access to a comprehensive list of all banks that are RTGS-enabled.

Can RTGS transfers be made on bank holidays and Sundays?

Ans: No. Unfortunately the service is only available on working days during the working hours of the bank.

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News About RTGS - Real Time Gross Settlement

Banks to Accept RTGS Till 12 a.m. on March 31

RTGS timings will be extended on March 31 in an effort to provide customers an additional window of time to file tax returns. In fact, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked all banks that may be accepting government payments or deal with government transactions to remain open for more hours on Saturday to facilitate this process.

Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) is generally used for high-value transactions and the minimum limit for RTGS is usually Rs.2 lakh. These fund transfers happen on a real-time basis and the money is credited immediately to the beneficiary account as and when the payee initiates the transaction.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a notice asking banks accepting government payments to work till 8.00 p.m on March 31, 2018. RBI has also issued instructions to banks to make all required arrangements to provide electronic fund transfer facilities for extended hours on the day.

There might be a slight increase in the volume of transactions because there are two bank holidays that come before Saturday (March 31). The holidays happen to fall on March 29 and March 30 for Mahaveer Jayanti and Good Friday.

Display of any trademarks, tradenames, logos and other subject matters of intellectual property belong to their respective intellectual property owners. Display of such IP along with the related product information does not imply BankBazaar's partnership with the owner of the Intellectual Property or issuer/manufacturer of such products.